Mumbai: Three flamingos lost their lives in the city within a span of 10 days. Two flamingos that were rescued last week, after being shot at with an airgun, succumbed to their injuries on Saturday.

Two more birds were allegedly shot at on Sunday morning and while one of them passed away, the other is in a critical state at the Thane Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA). It is yet to be ascertained whether an airgun was used to shoot them. Both the flamingos that were shot at on Sunday were found at Vashi creek, and were rescued by wildlife enthusiasts. While one of them is critical and under observation, the other couldn’t survive its multiple fractures.

The birds were spotted around 8 am on Sunday. Romil Nathwani, a wildlife enthusiast who rescued the birds, said, “Two of my friends who usually go bird-watching in the area spotted the two injured flamingos. While one of the birds was stationed in one corner, the more severely injured one was stuck in a marshy spot near the mangrove land.” Mr Nathwani, who has the dead flamingo’s body in his possession, alleged that the mangrove cell department wasn’t of much help. “I have contacted officers from the department, but the only response I received is that that they will collect the dead flamingo on Monday. Hence I have kept the body with me.”  

The two birds were rushed to Dr Deepa Katyal, a veterinarian in Chembur. Speaking to The Asian Age, Dr Katyal said, “The birds were brought in roughly around 1 pm. The one that didn’t survive had blood clots, a chest cavity and multiple fractures on its leg joint. According to me, shock is the cause of death.” The bird passed away when it was being taken to Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from Chembur.   

Meanwhile, the two flamingos that were rushed to a Bandra clinic after being shot by an air gun last week, initially remained in a critical condition after being rescued, but ultimately died as well. Pawan Sharma, the founder of Resqink Association of Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), said, “Frequent incidents of flamingos being shot at is definitely raising concern about the safety and well-being of these birds in their habitat. At the same time, the state authorities should be sufficiently alarmed about the protection of these birds. A marine rescue team with staff, vehicles, veterinary doctors and other equipment is the need of the hour, with an increased number of ground staff personnel to address such cases.” The chief conservator of forests of the mangrove cell was not available for comment.